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Poker Flat Research Launches Successful Aurora Rocket

Submitted by pfrr on Thu, 2013-02-07 23:00

February 08, 2013|By KTUU News Staff

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — It was a successful blast off at the Poker Flat Research range earlier this week.

The mission called "VISIONS” (Visualizing Ion Outflow via Neutral atom imaging during a Substorm) set out to gather information on how the aurora heats and slingshots oxygen out of the upper atmosphere.

On February 6th, the skies were cloudy and the aurora wasn't out, but things quickly changed downrange at Kaktovik.

Scientists say the rocket performed well and the on-board instruments executed their jobs as planned.